Cruise The Mediterranean

Nine days in the heart of a region blessed with unparalleled cultural richness: this is the programme that PONANT is offering during this brand-new cruise. Aboard LeJacques-Cartier, you will sail the seas of the Near East, and discover some of the finest jewels of the great civilisations.

You will board your ship in Antalya. With its Roman port, picturesque narrow streets and beautiful Ottoman homes this town, lying on the southern coast of Turkey, has maintained its many charms.

From Beirut, the Lebanese capital, do not miss the visit to Byblos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inhabited since the Neolithic era, this is one of the oldest cities in the world. One can observe the many vestiges of an extremely rich past, marked by the dissemination of the Phoenician alphabet.

You will then sail to Egypt for three days that will undoubtedly form the highlight of your cruise.

After sailing through the legendary Suez Canal, you will call at Ain Sokhna, the ideal starting point for a visit to the Egypt of the Pharaohs, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Le Jacques-Cartier will make a brief incursion into the warm waters of the Red Sea before sailing to the other side of the Sinai Peninsula and reaching Eilat in Israel. You will be able to discover the majestic fortress of Massada looming over the Dead Sea.

From the city of Aqaba, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the ancient caravan city of Petra, one of the must-see jewels of this fascinating country at the crossroads of history.

LE JACQUES CARTIER

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Port of call & excursions

Antalya

On the Turkish Mediterranean coast, discover the seaside resort of Antalya. While the city sports magnificent fine sandy beaches, it is also known for its significant historical heritage. Many vestiges bear witness to the importance of this former Roman port, such as Hadrian's Gate, built in the year 130 in honour of the visiting emperor. In the old town, it is possible to admire magnificent Ottoman houses with flowery gardens, as well as the broken minaret, built on the ruins of a former Byzantine church. The city’s surroundings also provide an opportunity to discover major archaeological sites, such as that of the ancient city of Aspendos, renowned for its impressive Roman theatre.

4 November 2020 – Beirut

5 November 2020 – Port Said

Arrival 05/11/2020 midday. Departure 05/11/2020 evening.

The city was born from an audacious but successful project: to link the Mediterranean with the Red Sea in the 19th Century and create a maritime route via a canal. The Suez Canal crosses the desert for 162 kilometres and was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalised by Nasser in 1956. In the city, to the rhythm of the colourful carts, you will admire the colonial houses with their large balconies, which give Port Said its cachet.

6 November 2020 – Crossing the Suez Canal

Arrival 06/11/2020. Departure 06/11/2020.

Without the waterway linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean this part of the world would be an arid sandy desert inhabited by a few nomads. The Suez Canal slices through 162 km of desert and was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalised by Nasser in 1956.

6 November 2020 – Ain Sukhna

Arrival 06/11/2020 evening. Departure 06/11/2020.

Ain Sukhna, which means “hot spring,” is located in the Gulf of Suez, facing the Red Sea. Around fifty kilometres from the entrance to the Suez Canal, and less than two hours from the Egyptian capital, it is an elegant seaside town that is popular with wealthy families from Cairo. Ain Soukhna is an ideal base for discovering the marvels of Ancient Egypt.

7 November 2020 – Ain Sukhna

Arrival 07/11/2020. Departure 07/11/2020 evening.

Ain Sukhna, which means “hot spring,” is located in the Gulf of Suez, facing the Red Sea. Around fifty kilometres from the entrance to the Suez Canal, and less than two hours from the Egyptian capital, it is an elegant seaside town that is popular with wealthy families from Cairo. Ain Soukhna is an ideal base for discovering the marvels of Ancient Egypt.

8 November 2020 – Eilat

Arrival 08/11/2020 evening. Departure 08/11/2020.

9 November 2020 – Eilat

Aqaba

Disembarkation 10/11/2020 at 06H00 .

Located in the Red Sea within the eponymous gulf, Aqaba offers Jordan its only access to the sea. At the crossroads of the land and sea routes that linked Asia, Africa and Europe, the town is rich with more than 5,000 years of history. The warm waters of the Red Sea attract holidaymakers and divers to this seaside destination; the underwater sites home to coral and fishes are some of the most beautiful in the world. Aqaba is also the gateway to the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum and the marvellous site of Petra.

Formalities

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

Jordan: A visa is mandatory (current cost 40 JOD). The visa is included for guests participating in a PONANT pre or post-cruise programme. In order to secure your visa, please send a copy of your passport to PONANT 30 days prior to your cruise departure.

The validity of those visas are restricted to the duration of PONANT pre and post cruise programs. Groups of tourists visiting Jordan for a minimum stay of 2 consecutive nights and arriving through Amman Airport, whose programme has been organised by a Jordanian agency, benefit of a complimentary visa on condition that they are met by the local Jordanian agency at the airport . Please note that rules and regulations regarding visa subject to change by the government without any prior notice. Guests not participating on PONANT pre or post cruise programs will have to pay for the visa at the arrival or departure airport. Double entry visas can be obtained prior to the cruise and have a validity of 3 months.

Pre/Post & Overlands

During your cruise

05/11/2020 – Exclusive wonders of Egypt

This overland must be prebooked and prepaid at least 90 days prior to your cruise.Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed on-board based on availability. A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour.100% of total cost for cancellations made less than 90 days before departure.

Explore the beauty and mysteries of Egypt’s treasures. You will discover the most impressive monuments from the time of the Pharaohs throughout exclusive visits.

Day 1:

From the pier of Port Saïd, meet your guide and board your coach for the 3.5-hour drive to Cairo, and your hotel. On arrival, you will check in at your hotel. Then, you will proceed to the pyramids area where you can admire the sound and light show.

After the show, you will get back to your hotel where your dinner will be served.

Day 2:

After a very early continental breakfast, you will start your day by a private visit of the Pyramids of Giza. To complete your experience, you will enter the famous Cheops Pyramid and the Solar boat museum. Cheops Pyramid is the largest of all the pyramids ever built on Earth, regardless of civilisation and time.

The solar boats of ancient Egyptians were large ships that were made out of cedar wood. The Solar Boat exposed near the pyramids was constructed to house Cheops when he passed away.

Southeast of the Great Pyramids, you will have the opportunity to admire the Sphinx, carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC.

Then, you will return to your hotel, where you will enjoy some free time as well as a full buffet breakfast and lunch. You will board your coach for a 45-minute drive to Cairo. You will visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities dedicated to ancient Egypt as well as the room of the treasure of Tutankhamun, and his god-like golden mask and the Royal Mummies room.

At the end of your visit, you will get back to your hotel. The dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 3:

After your breakfast, board your coach and drive for around one hour to Dahshour area, where the pyramids of Dahshur stand.

You will drive to Memphis, the Capital of ancient Egypt. You will see the limestone statue, Colossus of Ramses, giant lying statue depicts Ramses II, the Alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the temple of Ptah.

You will proceed at your lunch venue before reaching Sakkara to visit the famous step Pyramid of Zoser built 5,000 years ago by the engineer Imhotep, and one of the mastabas or funerary chambers.

Finally, a quick visit will be made at a carpet school before driving back to join your ship after 2 ½ hour drive.

YOUR HOTEL or similar:

Marriott Mena House hotel

6 Pyramids Road Giza,

Giza Governorate 12556, Egypt

Phone: 20 95 2382575

This palace built in 1869 at the foot of the Giza pyramids was the residence of Khedive Ismail and became a hotel in 1886. Located in the heart of beautiful gardens, the Marriot Mena House is composed of a palace part, an historic aisle.

This programme includes:

Transfers, visits, activities and entrance fees as per programme.

Sound and light show in English only.

Private visit of the pyramids for 2 hours and 1 hour during public opening.

The visit of the two special rooms at the museum: the royal mummies room and the treasure of Tutankhamun.

Meals mentioned in the programme:

3 breakfasts: 1 continental and 2 buffet breakfasts

2 lunches and 2 dinners including 1 bottled water, 1 glass of local beer or local wine or 1 soft drink and tea or coffee.

2 nights at Marriott Mena House hotel or similar.

The cameras fees.

This programme doesn’t include:

Personal expenses.

Gratuities to guide and driver.

Meals, drinks and all services not mentioned in the programme.

The video cameras fees.

Note:

Photos are not allowed inside the Cheops Pyramid, inside the King Tut room and inside the mummies rooms.

This overland involves approximately 7 km (4.2 miles) of walking on uneven paths with steps.

We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun. The night on the desert can be cold, we recommend you take a jacket for the sound and light show.

A new Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is about to be built near the pyramids. It should replace the actual museum in the centre of Cairo. As the opening date has not been revealed yet, the visit of this new museum could replace the one at the museum indicated in the programme.

Duration and price of excursions are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed.

Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. CDP advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations.

CDP specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure.

CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behaviour to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.

Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.

Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.